Mom, Dad, if your child is approaching the teen years, brace yourself! Because the reality is, the stress of dealing with a troubled teen can tear a family apart.

When teens begin to struggle, their problems put pressure on everyone in the family—especially mom and dad. So consider these practical steps to protect your marriage in the years to come.

First, see conflict with your kids as something you must tackle as a team.

Second, be intentional about sharing your feelings with each other.

And finally, build in some time to have fun. Get away and laugh a little.

Getting through the hard times won’t be easy. But when you stick together, even the greatest struggle can have the power to strengthen your marriage.

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

If you’ve ever wondered why teens act irresponsibly, well, it’s because they’re irresponsible! And that will never change, unless they’re allowed to deal with the consequences of their poor choices.

When our kids step out of line, our immediate reaction is to ground them, take away their phone, or pile on extra chores. But in many cases, the natural consequence of their decision will teach the most valuable lesson.

For example, if they choose to play videogames instead of studying for the big test, they’ll get an F. Or if they wake up late and miss the bus, they have to walk to school. See what I mean?

So the next time your teen blows it, don’t rush to deliver a punishment. Instead, let the natural consequence work its magic.

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Christian parents long to instill the same principles and values in their children that their own parents passed on to them. But Christian character doesn’t happen by accident. In fact, it takes a lot of intentional work.

Parents may pass on physical traits like height and hair color. But there’s no gene for “good character.” And in most cases, character traits are “caught,” not “taught.”

So if you want your children to be compassionate, model it yourself. If you want them to be truthful, always tell the truth. And if you want them to be respectful, start by showing respect first.

As parents, it’s our job to be the ones out front leading the charge. And if you believe your family is lacking important values, start with the only person you can readily change—yourself.

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Mom, Dad, do you know how to connect with your teenager?

Now, I don’t mean asking them if they had a good day, or talking about how things are going at school. I mean truly connecting with the heart of your teen. They’re two entirely different things.

So if you’re at a loss on where to start, just try asking questions. Don’t drill for information, but aim to discover how they think and what matters to them. Then, be sure to listen. Remember, you want to talk with them—not at them! And finally, keep your opinion to yourself, even when you disagree!

It may take practice, but your teen will appreciate your efforts to make connection and relationship top priority.

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Student Story: Lizzy

What are the pressing parenting questions on your mind? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston tackles five common questions from parents regarding disrespect, cell phone use, sharing about mistakes, dating and preserving privacy. Get clarity on gray areas and gain practical parenting advice!

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Ever feel like you’re the only family around who has problems? Well, relax. I heard someone say recently, “the only normal families in the world are those you don’t know very well!”

Don’t spend undue energy fussing over your imperfections. If you have conflict in your home, you’re perfectly normal!

Hey, most parents are surprised when their children become teens, and those innocent little ones begin to act out their newfound independence as young adults. Teens say stuff, and do stuff, that’s sometimes shocking. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only family who’s struggling.

Trust me. You’re in good company. Lots of parents are struggling and no family is perfect. So Mom, Dad, don’t allow the struggles to drag you down. Keep the end goal in mind!

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Teens live in a culture where personal restraint seems non-existent. In a borderless world, it’s our job to show them the value of boundaries!

Boundaries are like our personal space. They define who we are, and who we’re not. And when teens haven’t learned to respect their parents’ boundaries, they’re less likely to know how to set and enforce their own.

So if you feel like your teen is crossing the line, don’t be afraid to lay down some rules! Make sure he knows that you’re a person, not just a parent, and that you have personal needs, too.

When you teach your teen the value of respecting boundaries, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of healthy relationships with others.

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

As a specialist on teens, I’m not big on formulaic solutions. But even so, I’ve got five major tips for moms and dads that have stood the test of time.

Over thirty-plus years, I’ve lived with over twenty-five hundred struggling (2,500) teens. And I’ve picked up a few helpful lessons along the way. So if you could use some help sharpening your parenting skills, here are five things to remember.

First, rules without relationship cause rebellion.

Second, discipline is all about building character.

Third, don’t be afraid to let your teen experience the pain of consequences.

Fourth, focus your energy on training … not enforcing.

And finally, choose your battles wisely!

Hey, there’s no guaranteed formula for absolute success with your teen. But apply this five-point wisdom in your home, and some day your son or daughter will thank you!

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

There’s rarely a good time to be faced with a crisis. And for parents with out-of-control teens, the day-to-day struggle can drain every ounce of emotional energy.

If you’re dealing with a teen who’s caught in the spin cycle, let me give you a few tips for preventing emotional burnout.

First, take a break. Spend some time away from the stress. Something as simple as lunch with a friend can leave you feeling energized and refreshed.

Second, pull out some old photos or home videos, and remember the good ol’ days when things were innocent and fun. Let the memories restore you.

And finally, even though you might feel alone, rest assured, you are not alone. God knows. And He’s not finished with your teen.

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Does your teenager feel valued and accepted at home? If not, they’ll go lookin’ somewhere else!

As parents, we do a ton of stuff for our kids. We take care of their physical needs, cart them around to school events, and give them things our parents never did for us. But all these efforts fall short of giving our kids the thing they crave most. Value. Acceptance. Belonging.

These are the virtues that build self-esteem. It gives them confidence to say “no” to temptation. And though they often find value from good grades or excelling at sports, the only place a teen can find true value is at home.

So, I’ll ask you again, does your teen feel valued? Only you can provide the true sense of worth and acceptance they so desperately need.

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.